Rothenburg is one of the top tourist destinations in Germany. Its medieval architecture enchanting visitors from around the world.

The "Taubertal" is a beautiful winding valley that follows the river Tauber through some of the most romantic and untouched scenery.

Some of the many highlights along the route from Rothenburg to Wertheim include historical castles and places, old churches, beautiful bridges and ancient city walls, all surrounded by a painterly landscape of rolling green hills.

The running route is on a public bicycle path that follows the route of the river Tauber through the valley.The route from Rothenburg to Wertheim is also known as "Liebliches Taubertal" (lovely Tauber valley).

The route of the "Taubertal 100" is mostly on flat tarmac surrounded by an undulating and ever-changing landscape. The 20 checkpoints along the 100 km route are situated at 5 km intervals. For the 100 miles there are 6 further checkpoints after Wertheim at 10 km intervals.

The Mission:

To begin running into the morning, as a messenger foot runner, unassisted, from the Castle in Rothenburg, to arrive the Caste in Wertheim before nightfall.

Date:

05th October 2019

Start:

Rothenburg o.T.

Finish:

50 km in Bad Mergentheim

71 km in Tauberbischofsheim

100 km in Wertheim

100 miles in Gemünden

Distance:

50 km, 71 km, 100 km and 100 miles (161 km)

Ultra-Race:

Point to point race on a flat bicycle-path

50 km: total 73 m decent

71 km: total 157 m decent

100 km: total 191 m decent

100 miles (161 km): 136 m decent

Beverage:

20 drink & 10 food-stations for 100 km and 6 more food & drink stations for the 100 miles

Drink stations are situated every 5 km and aid stations with food and drink are every 10 km. After 100 km there are food and drink stations every 10 km. The exact position of the aid stations can vary by up to 2 km. Please see the GPS map for exact positions.

Time-Limit:

100 miles: 26 hour cut off

100 km: 15 hour cut off for 100 km and 100 mile runner

71 km: 10 hours 5 minutes cut off for all runners

50 km: 6 hours 30 minutes cut off for all runners

Each Checkpoint has a cut off time, based on a 26-hour finish time in the 100 mile race.

Disqualifaction:

Any runner not meeting the cut off time at any checkpoint will be disqualified.

All drop bags left behind will be taken onwards to the finish lines at 50km, 71km and then to Wertheim, and will be left in the sports hall Wertheim by 5.30pm at the latest.

On Sunday, any bags that have been left behind, will be transported back to the Hotel Rappen in Rothenburg and can be collected until Monday.

100 mile runners will have their drop bags transported to Gemünden. They can be collected from the sports hall from 1am.

Luggage:

All runners can also hand over a luggage to be transported to the sports hall in Wertheim and Gemünden.

Course Marking:

The course is marked every 500 m and each corner is triple marked. There are also distance marker every kilometre.

Showers:

Showers are available at each finish line.

Special:

Knighting ceremony for all finishers of the 100 km and 100 mile races.

Bicycles:

Bicycle assistance is permitted after Creglingen at 18 km, provided that the distance between the runner and cyclist is at least two metres. Personal food & drinks may only be provided at the checkpoints.

Cyclists are not permitted in the castle garden or in the start arera. Cyclists must wait 5m away from the checkpoints at the side of the road for their runner. They must not block the route. Runners using bike assistance before 18km Creglingen will be disqualified.

Dropping

Out:

Runners who drop out of the race earlier than the registered distance will be given a finish time for the race distance they have actually completed. If a runner drop out between a finish line, than he is disqualified.

Green Numbers:

Previous winners of any of the Taubertal 100 distances (Male/Female) will have a green race-number. Runners who have finished the Taubertal 100 three times at any distance, will also have a green race-number.

Equipment:

Light running gear.

Heat protection, waterproof and cold weather clothing is recommended for the drop bags. Head-torch for the start

100 Mile Runners:

Mobile Phone with emergency number,

GPS tracker (provided)

After 100 km:

Backpack with water bladder or drink flaks, with a minimum capacity of 0,75 Liters

Participants:

max. 600 (in 2019)

Qualification:

For all distances,a qualification must have been achiefed within the year prior to application for entry.

Runners who have never finished an altra-race: A sub 5 hour marathon-finish is required in the last year for participate up to 100 km. It is recommended that you undertake at least 3 month of ultramarathon training.

Qualification for 50 km, 71 km and 100 km-races:

A finish of any ultra race of any distance or time, or a sub 5 hour marathon in the last year.

100 Miles:

Sub-13 hour finish in a 100 km, or a distance of at least 150 km in a 24 hour race or aquivalent, in the last year. Trails runs will be time adjusted by 6 minutes per 100m of ascent. Long distance (Ironman) triathletes also are qualified for the 100 mile run with a Sub 13 hour finish.